Description
Million Dollar Chicken is a rich and flavorful baked chicken dish featuring tender, pounded chicken breasts topped with a creamy, cheesy mixture of cream cheese, mayonnaise, sharp cheddar, crumbled bacon, toasted almonds, and green onions. This comforting and indulgent meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Topping
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced (divide half for topping, half for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F and place a large baking sheet on the middle rack to preheat. This ensures the chicken gets a nice sear when baked.
- Pound the chicken: Place one chicken breast in a zip-top bag, remove the air, and seal. Use a rolling pin or meat mallet to pound the chicken to about 1/2-inch thickness. Repeat with remaining breasts. Then season both sides of each chicken breast evenly with kosher salt and black pepper. Place the pounded chicken on a large sheet of parchment paper.
- Make the topping mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in the sharp cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, toasted slivered almonds, garlic powder, and half of the sliced green onions until everything is evenly mixed.
- Assemble the chicken: Spread the cream cheese and cheese mixture evenly over the top of each pounded chicken breast. Carefully remove the preheated baking sheet from the oven and transfer the parchment with the topped chicken onto it.
- Bake the chicken: Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese melts and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. This ensures the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat.
- Rest and garnish: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking. Then sprinkle the remaining sliced green onions on top before serving to add freshness and color.
- Storage and reheating: Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or a low oven to preserve flavor and texture.
Notes
- Be sure to pound the chicken to an even thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Lightly toasting the almonds enhances their nutty flavor and adds crunch.
- Using a preheated baking sheet helps the chicken cook quickly and develop a nice crust under the cheese topping.
- You can substitute sharp cheddar with Monterey Jack or mozzarella for a milder flavor.
- Leftover chicken is delicious served cold on salads or reheated for sandwiches.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with topping
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
